The upcoming season marks the 45th year that the 100-voice non-auditioned community chorus has been performing in the Oneida area. Again this year, the chorale will present three major concerts under the direction of chorale director Kimberly Nethaway of Rome, now in her 17th year at the helm.

The chorale will continue its tradition of kicking off the holiday season on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. at the Oneida High School auditorium. "Ring and Sing We Now of Christmas," a collection of Yuletide favorites, will feature carols from France, Germany and the United States. The chorale will be joined by "Joyful Ringers," a 13-member handbell choir from the First Presbyterian Church of Rome.

On Sunday, March 11 at 4 p.m., the chorale will present Haydn's "Lord Nelson Mass" at St. Agatha's Church in Canastota. The performance will include a vocal quartet consisting of professional soloists, including tenor Jonathan English of Syracuse, who previously performed with the chorale in its 2009 "People's Choice" concert. Accompaniment for the mass will be provided by a 15-piece chamber orchestra.

"If Music Be the Food of Love," a concert of songs about the joy of making music, will round out the chorale's upcoming season. The concert will be presented on Saturday, May 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Rome, and again on Sunday, May 20 at 4 p.m. at the Kallet Civic Center in Oneida. A special feature of these performances will be the world premier of a piece by composer Amy Bernon, commissioned by the chorale specifically for this concert. Bernon, originally from Syracuse, is a well-known composer with more than 40 works in print, and will be in attendance at the concerts.

Tickets for the chorale concerts will be available from chorale members and at W.J. Hinman Jewelers, 115 Main St., Oneida.

For more information regarding the chorale or the concert season, call 363-7134 and visit: